I got the Harbor Freight one a year ago and have used it about 4 times. Worked pretty good. But a couple days ago, I went to pull the motor out of my truck, and the cylinder kept falling. I put more oil in it. but the seals inside were shot, it won't pickup the engine. Tore it apart and there were several seals that are just dried out. After 1 year. So I got another cylinder that also has the air on it. So you can raise it by yourself and be up near the motor, & be able to move the engine around while you use the air control. Works good. The wheels are my next upgrade. Good video, Thx. 👍
Got the same "Pittsburgh" hoist 2 years ago to use for the outside work. Kept the boom all the way down when not in use. 1 month later I went to use it and it had a giant puddle of oil under it. I gave it to a friend, and found an ancient Blackhawk one for 60 bucks at an estate sale. Its worked perfectly since. Great review!
I have a 1980s, Carolina engine hoist 2 ton but I've put a 3 ton ram on it the other one was worn out but it works good for pulling out motors mine is made in the USA also
I got a HF hoist several years ago. The arm is too short for almost everything we work on. I have to take a front wheel off and put the engine in from the side. I dont much like doing it that way but it works.
Interesting comparison. I suppose the Harbor Freight one would be handy for smaller jobs but for me the Excalibur would have to be my 1st choice. I have an A/C Delco that seems to work for most every situation I've had it in so far.
Great video. The boom lenght is important and I found out the hard way with the Harbor Freight one. It is not long enough to pull a engine out of a 3rd Gen Charger. Not enough reach. Had to borrow my friends old engine puller to get the job done.
I've had the Pittsburgh lift for about 19 yrs. No problems to this day. It's shorter height is great when I'm working on my van and smaller cars. For my c body's I have an old Napa lift that i got at a garage sale. Good video on the lifts.👍👍👍👍
2nd gen camaros and montecarlo's need a real long one.I had to remove the nosecone on my camaro to get the engine out. And I dont screw around with that engine up in the air. I get it out and down on the ground before the china seals give out....
Great comparison! That Excaliber is nice! I bought a Larin 2 ton at TSC over 20 some years ago. It's pretty stout with 2 vertical stanchion supports behind the cylinder and an air motor to pump up the ram. Forget how much it was. A few years ago, I was looking for a decent engine stand and wasn't happy with the ones I saw from all the usual players. Most looked like they were made by one company (in China) and spray painted a different color depending on who was selling them. The other thing was a lot were the 3 wheeled junk or the 'H' leg design. I checked Craigslist and got a deal on a vintage Walker 'USA' stand for $75. It's the 'U' type and super strong. The head plate and mounting 'tabs' are 1" thick steel. I had a buddy one time dump his engine that was on a 3 leg stand when a pebble got caught under a wheel. It was ugly. I almost dropped an engine with one once too so I stay away from those especially with big blocks. They're very 'tipsy'.
Great vid thanks guy the old usa hoists are scarce & most people arent gona make vids about em so kudos to YOU .... so a que: @1:11 i see the chain out-the -front of the better one now can i place the chain like that on the HF hoist for a few extra inches ????
I was just at HF recently and had noticed that the newer hoists are smaller than the HF Pittsburgh hoist i have at home. Definitely could be a disadvantage with the newer models.
Great comparison video. I’m currently restoring an old crane similar to the Excalibur because I just wasn’t happy with what is out there new today. Just curious what is the total leg length on the Excalibur from back to front when assembled?
Man if I Do a video on this it will take at least an hour to explain all the mods that can be done with cherry pickers from making them modular as in different wheels for different tasks like rolling over grass to accessories crossing over with my homemade rotisserie and lifting pick up beds and cabs too pulling fence posts...too adding square tubing to mount to a 5k lb rear hitch trailer. You can go to the steel store and buy the square tubing to make nearly any configuration you can dream up!😂.... I have two both have been heavily modified for moving all kind of things both I got for free and both USA made.....and both way over 30yrs old! Your old one was the best and still is the best the harbor frieght is ok for the import crowd but when it's 440. Hemi. Ford big block or Chevy big block time go with the tried and true oldie and still a goodie!!... Cause I sure will.
@@318willrun true story I was an NYC bike messenger.... My bike broke in the middle of my shift... My manager said go home till you can get another bike.... I told him no give me the spare frame in the shop and in under 30 minutes I'll have a bike to go to work on he said go for it!....in less than 30 minutes I was back on the street making money 💰...this kid knows his limitations and his skills! 😂😂😎
I Have That Same Hoist (Excalibur) Works Great --- Made In US (Except For The Ram Tawain) I Use The Harbor Freight To Load And Unload Things Off The Trailer ---- It's Quite A Bit Lighter Easy 2 Move Around --- And Small Motor Jobs
It pulled the 326 out of our 66 LeMans and I wasn't paranoid. We even left the heads on it. I'm not saying it's the best hoist, but it's great for guys who pull a few engines a year. If I was a professional, I would definitely buy better.
I bought my Harbour Freight one, about 7 years ago, it has steel wheels, and seems to have more reach than the one here, but it leaks down slowly, takes a month or more.
@@318willrun They could have made the legs of the crane and engine stand different, so that the crane can load direct to the stand, instead of having to put the engine on the ground, then blocking the crane legs up to put the stand ones under them.
IYO let's see HF pull an engine. Thing is, it can do the job; vs. cost. It comes from China because that's where the stockholders of the corporations can make the most profit. An AMERICN employee owned manufacturer could do it for that, or less, and BETTER and everyone would make a good paycheck. Just get rid of the stockholder part of it. (aka, the loan that never ends).
I got the Harbor Freight one a year ago and have used it about 4 times. Worked pretty good. But a couple days ago, I went to pull the motor out of my truck, and the cylinder kept falling. I put more oil in it. but the seals inside were shot, it won't pickup the engine. Tore it apart and there were several seals that are just dried out. After 1 year. So I got another cylinder that also has the air on it. So you can raise it by yourself and be up near the motor, & be able to move the engine around while you use the air control. Works good. The wheels are my next upgrade. Good video, Thx. 👍
Awesome remedy !!!
Got the same "Pittsburgh" hoist 2 years ago to use for the outside work. Kept the boom all the way down when not in use. 1 month later I went to use it and it had a giant puddle of oil under it. I gave it to a friend, and found an ancient Blackhawk one for 60 bucks at an estate sale. Its worked perfectly since. Great review!
Thanks for your real-life testimony!
I would trust the Excalibur over the hf more
I have a 1980s, Carolina engine hoist 2 ton but I've put a 3 ton ram on it the other one was worn out but it works good for pulling out motors mine is made in the USA also
good review thanks Tim
You bet
I got a HF hoist several years ago. The arm is too short for almost everything we work on. I have to take a front wheel off and put the engine in from the side. I dont much like doing it that way but it works.
Thanks for that trick! I've not thought about doing it that way!
Maybe you should just rebuild the old one.
Yes, the old one is still in service and keeping it going is a great idea
I just bought and returned the HF one yesterday, 20 inches shy of reaching the engine in a 2000 f150
Was it that bad. The reach is the problem I see in some reviews
20 inches short sounds like it may need one of those overhead hoists. Neither of these would reach that.
@@gdprice79 I managed to get it with the 2 ton one from tractor supply, I was about to throw it on a trailer and hook it up to my crane at work.
@@bradleyhomer3590 Haha! Awesome!
@@bradleyhomer3590 Is the TS hoist better than the HF hoist?
Interesting comparison. I suppose the Harbor Freight one would be handy for smaller jobs but for me the Excalibur would have to be my 1st choice. I have an A/C Delco that seems to work for most every situation I've had it in so far.
Thank you! Yes, I didn't know about all what I discovered till after I bought it and assembled it. Thought I'd better share ...
a harbor freight engine hoist failed when i tried to pull a 7.3 idi engine
Great video. The boom lenght is important and I found out the hard way with the Harbor Freight one. It is not long enough to pull a engine out of a 3rd Gen Charger. Not enough reach. Had to borrow my friends old engine puller to get the job done.
Thanks! You are correct, I didn't know it when I bought the HF hoist but thought I better share ....
Great comparison! Thanks for sharing!👍
Thanks for watching!
I've had the Pittsburgh lift for about 19 yrs. No problems to this day. It's shorter height is great when I'm working on my van and smaller cars. For my c body's I have an old Napa lift that i got at a garage sale. Good video on the lifts.👍👍👍👍
Thanks for sharing! Real life testament !!!
2nd gen camaros and montecarlo's need a real long one.I had to remove the nosecone on my camaro to get the engine out. And I dont screw around with that engine up in the air. I get it out and down on the ground before the china seals give out....
LOL.. this cracked me up.... "get it on the ground BEFORE" ...
@@318willrun Dont want a big block crunching your fenders.....lol
This is one way that HF lowers prices: less material used in the product, lowers the cost.
Good post !!
And slave labor and massive pollution.....
Great comparison! That Excaliber is nice! I bought a Larin 2 ton at TSC over 20 some years ago. It's pretty stout with 2 vertical stanchion supports behind the cylinder and an air motor to pump up the ram. Forget how much it was.
A few years ago, I was looking for a decent engine stand and wasn't happy with the ones I saw from all the usual players. Most looked like they were made by one company (in China) and spray painted a different color depending on who was selling them. The other thing was a lot were the 3 wheeled junk or the 'H' leg design. I checked Craigslist and got a deal on a vintage Walker 'USA' stand for $75. It's the 'U' type and super strong. The head plate and mounting 'tabs' are 1" thick steel.
I had a buddy one time dump his engine that was on a 3 leg stand when a pebble got caught under a wheel. It was ugly. I almost dropped an engine with one once too so I stay away from those especially with big blocks. They're very 'tipsy'.
You shop smart !!
Lol! A Harbor Freight ad came on right when your video ended.
Ha! It's all about the timing, isn't it ??
Great vid thanks guy the old usa hoists are scarce & most people arent gona make vids about em so kudos to YOU
.... so a que:
@1:11 i see the chain out-the -front of the better one now can i place the chain like that on the HF hoist for a few extra inches ????
Thanks! I'm sure a guy could come up with something to make the HF work.
I was just at HF recently and had noticed that the newer hoists are smaller than the HF Pittsburgh hoist i have at home. Definitely could be a disadvantage with the newer models.
I found my HF hoist in a dumpster a couple years ago and I am totally satisfied with my purchase. 😂
Ha! Nice!
🤣🤣
Great comparison video. I’m currently restoring an old crane similar to the Excalibur because I just wasn’t happy with what is out there new today. Just curious what is the total leg length on the Excalibur from back to front when assembled?
Thanks! I'll have to measure it.
Man if I Do a video on this it will take at least an hour to explain all the mods that can be done with cherry pickers from making them modular as in different wheels for different tasks like rolling over grass to accessories crossing over with my homemade rotisserie and lifting pick up beds and cabs too pulling fence posts...too adding square tubing to mount to a 5k lb rear hitch trailer. You can go to the steel store and buy the square tubing to make nearly any configuration you can dream up!😂.... I have two both have been heavily modified for moving all kind of things both I got for free and both USA made.....and both way over 30yrs old! Your old one was the best and still is the best the harbor frieght is ok for the import crowd but when it's 440. Hemi. Ford big block or Chevy big block time go with the tried and true oldie and still a goodie!!... Cause I sure will.
You are very innovative and you do a wonderful job with your projects. I have no doubt you could enhance a bicycle!! Keep up the good work!
Just do it 😎
@@318willrun true story I was an NYC bike messenger.... My bike broke in the middle of my shift... My manager said go home till you can get another bike.... I told him no give me the spare frame in the shop and in under 30 minutes I'll have a bike to go to work on he said go for it!....in less than 30 minutes I was back on the street making money 💰...this kid knows his limitations and his skills! 😂😂😎
I Have That Same Hoist (Excalibur) Works Great --- Made In US (Except For The Ram Tawain) I Use The Harbor Freight To Load And Unload Things Off The Trailer ---- It's Quite A Bit Lighter Easy 2 Move Around --- And Small Motor Jobs
that HF is probably just meant for pulling 4 bangers out of Hondas. ;)
It pulled the 326 out of our 66 LeMans and I wasn't paranoid. We even left the heads on it. I'm not saying it's the best hoist, but it's great for guys who pull a few engines a year. If I was a professional, I would definitely buy better.
Instead of bolt install a trailer hitch pin for the excalibur
Great tip!
Your up to something that you needed a second hoist?
I got tired of transporting (loading and unloading) my hoist to two different locations! Yes, I am up to something 😆
I'll take the Excalibur
Haven't heard from you in a while. Hope you're doing alright, healthwise. We miss you.
Thank you! We are fine, just super busy with life outside of cars - although, a new video will be out very soon!!!
I bet the harbour freight one is good for the rating and no more I bet the other one could lift more
Where ya from Friebd ope
right here !! 😶
I bought my Harbour Freight one, about 7 years ago, it has steel wheels, and seems to have more reach than the one here, but it leaks down slowly, takes a month or more.
HF does change how they make their equipment often. I recently bought their engine stand and it's a nice piece!
@@318willrun They could have made the legs of the crane and engine stand different, so that the crane can load direct to the stand, instead of having to put the engine on the ground, then blocking the crane legs up to put the stand ones under them.
IYO let's see HF pull an engine. Thing is, it can do the job; vs. cost. It comes from China because that's where the stockholders of the corporations can make the most profit. An AMERICN employee owned manufacturer could do it for that, or less, and BETTER and everyone would make a good paycheck. Just get rid of the stockholder part of it. (aka, the loan that never ends).
I’d take the older one over the HF any day.
I’ll keep my service truck with a7000 lb. crane.
Good idea!
Lmao, you think those casters are plastic? Buddy, there is zero chance those casters are made of plastic.
I've had one from '95 and works great! I won't buy anything from Harbour Freight! Perhaps the new one is meant for late model vehicles.
Yes, it bet it would pull a V-tec from a Honda just wonderful!!!
What is a good price for a good shape excalibur?
I don't know, I'd shop marketplace.
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USA 🇺🇸
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